Effect of Heat Stress in Poultry and Its Mitigation

Abstract

The major problem for huge economic loss in the poultry industry was stress and from different types of stressors; heat stress was a major one. In this developing era, poultry played an important role in almost economic gain of every country. But with changing climatic conditions it had become hard to maintain the temperature in poultry production system. Heat stress effects the overall performance of both layers and broiler in terms of meat quality, growth, egg quality and egg production. If these types of parameters start showing in poultry farms timely taken steps will save farm from huge economic loss. Scientists are using different methods and techniques to alleviate the devastating effects of heat stress in both economically important poultry sectors, layer and broiler. Providing birds with suitable environmental conditions like proper ventilation and stocking density helps minimize HS. Supplementation of feed additives also helps in reducing damaging effects of HS by improving performance and gut health. Scientists worldwide are trying to develop birds with high heat tolerating ability so that birds will perform well during high-temperature phase. Conditioning of birds with high temperature at early age also helps the birds to perform better in later phases of life. This article highlights major issues regarding to chicken health under HS condition and some techniques to perform well under stressed conditions.